345  Houston County Commissioners Meeting  March 5, 2024 Perry, Georgia  The Houston County Board of Commissioners met ina a regular session at 9:00 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry, Georgia, with Chairman Perdue presiding and Commissioners Byrd, Gottwals, Robinson, and Talton present. County Attorney Tom Hall, Director of Administration Robbie Dunbar, and Director of Operations Brian Jones  were also present.  Commissioner Robinson gave the Invocation.  Commissioner Gottwals led those present int the Pledge of Allegiance.  MSgt. Danielle Larios, Assistant to the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Force Reserve Command; Program Manager, Development & Training Flight, spoke of her military career whichh began when she joined the Air Force Reserves in 2008. Her father, a retired Army Green Beret, encouraged her enlistment. She spoke about the various positions she has held in her career. She also spoke about the bases where she has been assigned. Recently, she transferred from her last assignment in San Antonio, Texas to serve as the assistant to the Each Commissioner expressed their appreciation to MSgt. Larios for her service, patriotism andl kind wordsa aboutt the Base and the Houston County community, and additional comments Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the Chief Building Inspector Tim Andrews presented Special Exceptions #2738, #2742, #2744 Chairman Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened a Public Hearing.  Command Chief Master Sergeant oft the Air Force Reserve Command. were madet thanking! her father for his servicei in Vietnam. minutes from the February 20, 2024 meeting.  through #2747 and #2749.  Applicant #2727 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2742 was not present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2744 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2745 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2746 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2747 was present, there was no opposition. Applicant #2749 was present, there was no opposition.  There being no comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by all to approve thet following Special Exception Applications toi include any and alls stipulations as noted ont the Zoning & Appeals recommendation: and Section 95 Requirements staff report:  meeting.  Applicant #2738 Applicant #2744 Applicant #2745 Applicant#2746 Applicant #2747 Applicant#2749  Justin & Christin Key Gwendolyn! Stovall Jennifer Bell Samantha Lineberger Jonathan &J Jessica Adams Walter & Rhonda Zellner  Landscaping Business Virtual Assistant & Real Estate Transaction Coordinator Glamping & Party Rental Supply Sales of Products & Commodities Raised on Premises Dog Grooming Business Education Consulting & Tutoring  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 346    346  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 345  And also, to disapprove the following Special Exception Applications:  Applicant #2742  Miranda Stewart  Special Events Facility  County Attorney Tom! Hall made al blanket statement for the benefit ofa alla applicants for Special Exceptions for home occupations, that even if the Board of Commissioners approves an application, neighborhood covenants may still impose certain restrictions upon or against home businesses. These restrictive covenants are not superseded by any action the Board of Commissioners takes. The actionst taken! by the Board will not change any provision withint the Chairman! Perdue stated that he had heardf from Applicant #2742, Ms. Stewart, with additional information regarding access in and out of her property, which was distributed to the Commissioners and staff. He also statedt that the additional information and changes does not change the engineering opinions, and he also noted that the Zoning and Appeals Board Mr. Andrews advised the applicants approved ont the next stepi int the process, which would be County Attorney Tom Hall conducted the second reading of a proposed amendment to the Houston County Code of Ordinances. The proposed amendment to Section 62-56 will add Old Hawkinsville Road to the list of roads where through truck traffic is prohibited. The first reading was held at the February 20, 2024,5:00 pm Board of Commissioners meeting. Chairman Perdue closedt the regular portion oft the meeting and opened al Public Hearing. There being no comments Chairman Perdue closed the Public Hearing and reopened the Motion by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, to approve the amendment to Section 62-56of the Houston County Code of Ordinances to add Old Hawkinsville Road to the list of roads where through truck traffic is prohibited. Upon voting, Mr. Gottwals, Mr. Byrd and Ms. County Attorney Tom Hall gave at first reading tor repeal Section 14-1 of Chapter 14, Articlel lof the Ordinances titledE Board of Adjustment: and/ Appealst to update the current definition oft this Board. As second reading and public hearing ont this change to County Ordinances will be held County Attorney Tom Hall gave at first reading on a proposed change to Section 2-274(f) of the County Ordinances regarding Capital Budget Policies. The change would! bet tol have sixi months ofg general fund reserve onH handi instead oft the current three-month: amount. As secondr reading and public hearing on this change to County Ordinances will be held at the March 19th, 2024 Chairman Perdue advised this came up at the last audit and that this would change the Mr. Byrd presented a request for a letter of support for the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park  covenant that prohibits any commercial or business activity.  reluctantly had tor recommend: a denial ofa application.  obtaining their business license through the Commissioner's office.  meeting.  Robinson votedy yes, Mr. Talton abstained. Motion approved.  at the March 19th, 2024 Commission meeting.  Commission meeting.  County's policy tot fall inl line with our practice.  and Preserve legislation.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 347    347  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 346  Motion! by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Talton, and carried unanimously by all to approve al letter ofs support for the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve legislation. Chairman Perdue advised the legislation creating this national park would be great for the Mr. Byrd presented ar request for renewal ofal hauling contract with Mid Georgia Trucking to Motion by Mr. Byrd, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the one-year renewal ofal hauling contract with Mid Georgia Trucking, of Lithonia, Georgia. All terms oft the current contract willl be extended for the renewal period of one year. Mr. Byrd commented on the good work negotiating the same terms and agreements for this Mr. Talton presented a request for the approval ofa a bid on one New 2024 Ford F450 with a Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all to approve the bid on onel New 2024 Ford F450 with al Reading Service Bodyt to be used by the Water Department from Phil Brannen Ford of Perry, GA in the amount of $78,700. This purchase will be funded Chairman Perdue advised that the size of equipment that this vehicle will be hauling will be less sot the replacement vehicle for the Water Department can be less as well. Mr. Talton presented: a request for approval ofab bid ona al Big Tex Trailer.  region and our sister county. haull leachate for the landfill.  contract renewal.  Reading Service Bodyt tol be used by the Water Department.  by Water Department Capital Funds.  Motion! byl Mr. Talton, second by Ms. Robinson, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the bid on a Big Tex Trailer to accompany the New 2024 Ford F450 with a Reading Service Body, from Trax & Trailers of Perry, GA in the amount of $19,960. This purchase willl be funded by Mr. Talton presented a request for approval ofab bid tor replace those culverts on Old Vienna Motion by Mr. Talton, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve the award oft the bid on culvertr replacement on Old Vienna Road toJ John R. Walker Inc. of Macon, Georgia, int the amount of $286,556. This project isf funded by 2012 SPLOST. Mr. Byrd commented: aboutt the quick way that public works staff rectified this situation on Old Chairman Perduea advised that acquiring the culvert couldb bea al hold upo on this project, SO when the Countyf found what was needed for ther repair, it was purchased. Bids were then requested for the culvert installation tor repair Old Vienna Road. Chairman! Perdue gave compliments to Director of Operations Brian Jones, Roads and Bridges Superintendent Travis McLendon, and Purchasing Director Vanessa Zimmerman on the quick and efficient way they handled the Ms. Robinson presented a proposal for treasury services as recommended by staff and  Water Department Capital Funds.  Road that were washed outi ina a recent storm.  Vienna Road.  purchase oft this needed culvert to complete this project.  consultant Davenport & Company.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 348    348  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 347  Mr. Ricardo Cornejo of Davenport & Company spoke tot the Commissioners and those present about the process that his company and County staff went throughi ins sending out requests for proposals andH how thet 6p proposals received were narrowed downi tot four. Hea advised oft these four proposals, two were chosen asf finalists with Synovus Bank winning the recommendation Mr. Byrd stated that he appreciated the process and the involvement by County staff and Chairman Perdue stated that a big need was for there to be branches in Warner Robins and Perry, and he also expressed thanks to Chief Financial Officer, Danyelle George, Senior Accountant Will Davis, and Director ofA Administration Robbie Dunbar for theiri involvement. Ms. George and Mr. Dunbar both agreed with the recommendation: tog go with Synovus Bank. Mr. Gottwals stated that, in! his opinion, he thought Morris Bank would have been the better oft the two finalists. Hei finished by sayingt that he had nothing against Synovus Bank, but that Ms. Robinson mentioned that both finalists were outstanding and gave very informative presentations and that choosing one over the other was a very difficult decision. Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Talton, to approve the acceptance of Synovus Bank's proposal for treasury services as recommended by staff and consultant. Also, for the signing of all documents necessary for this acceptance. Upon voting, Ms. Robinson, Mr. Talton, and Ms. Robinson presented a request for approval of a voting delegate for the Georgia Opioid Settlement. Advisory Commission (GOSAC) and Regional Advisory Councils (RACs). Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by allt to approve the selection of Director of Administration, Robbie Dunbar, as a voting delegate for the Georgia Opioid Settlement. Advisory Commission (GOSAC) andF Regional Advisory Councils (RACs). Chairman Perdue: statedt that ifMr. Dunbar were unable to attend, that he or County Attorney Motion by Ms. Robinson, second by Mr. Gottwals, and carried unanimously by all to approve Chairman! Perdue closed the regular portion oft the meeting and opened Public Comments. There being no comments, Chairman Perdue closed the Public Comments portion of the  ofDavenport & Company. Davenport & Co. officials.  he would! have felt betterg going with Morris Bank.  Mr. Byrd voted yes, Mr. Gottwals opposed. Motion approved.  Tom Hall would be considered alternates. the payment oft the bills totaling $3,449,982.41.  meeting.  Chairman Perdue then opened thei floori for Commissioner's Comments.  Mr. Talton thanked Mr. Cornejo, of Davenport and Company, along with Chief Financial Officer, Danyelle George, and Director of Administration, Robbie Dunbar, for their work in selecting a new! bank for the County. He also commented that from roads to choosing al bank,  the Commissioners are meeting the needs of Houston County residents.  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued on Page 349    349  Houston County Commissioners Meeting Continued from Page 348  Mr. Byrd commented on the great customer service he not only! heard about but observed in the Probate Court. He complimented the staff on their efficiency. He then spoke of Director of Operations, Brian. Jones, and those who work with him in Public Works, on the way they communicate with County residents who are having an issue that requires help. He then welcomed Houston Home. Journal reporter Mr. Owen. Jones to the Commissioners meeting. Concluding his remarks, Mr. Byrd spoke about the 2023 Annual Report which had recently been published whichr really shows what a great county! Houston County is. Chairman Perdue also commented ont the 2023 Annual Report saying the publication tells the story about what a great place Houston Countyi is. He went ont tos say that the Commissioners inherited a County in great shape whicht the Board will continue to build on. And that while rooted in the past, will look to the future and innovation where possible. He concluded by sayingt the Annual Report, put together by the Miner Agency, does a great job oftalking about all the new County buildings, financial health and new initiatives the County is utilizing to Mr. Gottwals shareda a quotef from the Ann of Green Gables series! byl L.M. Montgomery, "Home ist thel best wordi int the world." Hes spoke about a recente experience with and out ofs state visitor that when describing! Houston County tot thisi individual, let him knowt that asal Houston County Ms. Robinsont thanked everyone fora attending andt thanked MSgt. Lariosf forl her comments and staying for the meeting. She recognized elected officials State Court Solicitor, Amy Smith, District Attorney Willl Kendall, ands she alsor recognized: State Court Clerk" Teresal Hathaway. She concluded her comments bys saying that today was her son's 22nd birthday, whicha also fell on a Tuesday 22 years ago, and that his arrival kept her from attending the Commissioners Motion to adjourn by Mr. Gottwals, second by Mr. Byrd, and carried unanimously by all.  betters serve and bel better stewards for County residents.  resident, therer really is nol better placet than home and here.  meeting that day. Meeting adjourned. Robbie Dunbar Director of Administration  Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner    350